Expandable container

ABSTRACT

An expandable container adapted to be manually adjusted from a vertically compact configuration wherein internal shelves are closely spaced, to a vertically expanded configuration wherein the internal shelves are less closely spaced. A garment folding apparatus is preferably incorporated with the container to provide a tool that assists the user in quickly folding garments to dimensions compatible with shelves within the container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/881,872, filed on Jun. 30, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.7,334,669.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rightswhatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containers, such as the type commonlyreferred to as luggage and suitcases used by travelers, and moreparticularly to a vertically expandable suitcase adapted with internalshelves. In a broader sense, the present invention relates to anexpandable storage container.

2. Description of Related Art

The task of carrying and/or lifting luggage at airports, railwaystations, hotels or other sites is generally disliked by travelers.While rental luggage carts are available at certain sites, the rentingprocess is itself an inconvenience and such carts do not remain with thetraveler after the baggage is checked in.

As a result, the use of wheeled luggage cases has significantly expandedto the point where wheeled luggage cases are now the norm in the alt ofluggage making. Even relatively small luggage cases designed to fit inoverhead compartments or under the seats on aircraft are commonlyadapted with wheels to facilitate transporting a loaded case. Currently,the most popular type of wheeled luggage is the upright case, which ispushed or towed with the longest or major dimension nearer to verticalthan horizontal. Typically, upright cases are equipped with atelescopically extendable and retractable wheel handle at the top end ofthe body of the case and a pair of wheels at the bottom edge of the backof the body. At rest, the case may sit in an upright position upon thewheels and a pair of legs or glides. To roll the case, the user gripsthe wheel handle and tips the case to lift the glides from thesupporting surface and manually pulls the case while walking.

A significant disadvantage associated with luggage carriers is that themain packing compartment is small and difficult to pack in a way thatthe packed clothing and other items are easily accessible when the caseis opened up, for example, in the upright position when its standing onthe pair of wheels. As a result of this shortcoming, the prior artreveals attempts to improve upon internal organization by providingshelves that divide the interior of the case. For example, U.S. Pat. No.6,161,739, issued to Bentzen, discloses a non-wheeled upright backpackhaving an internal compartment that is divided into subcompartments byshelves that are removable. U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,476, discloses a racksystem for a backback. Such attempts to integrate shelves into luggageand backpacks have not resulted in widespread success, and fail toaddress the inherent space limitation due to the relatively small sizeof the compartment provided by the luggage.

Accordingly, there exists a need for wheeled luggage having anexpandable storage compartment and internal shelving to provideorganized storage for travelers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and limitations in theart by providing an expandable case having a main body defining astorage compartment that is expandable and adapted with internal shelvesso as to enable a traveler to transport the fully packed case to a finaldestination and expand the main body to form a vertically expandedconfiguration wherein the articles therein are readily accessible anddisposed on a plurality of vertically spaced shelves. In accordance withthe present invention, wheeled luggage is provided including a casehaving a body defining an interior that serves as container in whichclothing and other personal items may be placed for transportation. Thebody is of the type that stands vertically upright, and is furtheradapted so as to be telescopically expandable such that the body may bemanually adjusted from a normally sized configuration during transit toa vertically enlarged configuration once the final destination, such asa hotel room, is reached. More particularly the body includes atelescopically adjustable main body, to allow for selective verticalextension of the body thereby substantially increasing the volume of theinterior storage compartment. The body further includes a plurality ofinterior horizontally disposed, vertically stacked shelves connected inaccordion fashion so as to automatically expand from a compactconfiguration to an expanded configuration when the main body istelescopically expanded thereby providing a series of vertically spacedshelves which provide convenient access to the contents.

The present invention finds broad application as an expandablecontainer, article of furniture, or storage container.

Accordingly, a traveler using the luggage case disclosed herein isrelieved of the time consuming task of having to unpack the case uponreaching his/her destination

A further aspect of the present invention includes combining a garmentfolding apparatus as an integral component of the luggage main body. Thefolding apparatus provides the user with a tool to assist in rapidlyfolding garments, such as shirts, tops, and pants, into precisely foldedshapes sized to fit conveniently within the main body interior and tofit neatly on the shelves provided therein.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provideimprovements in the field of wheeled luggage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide luggage having anexpandable body.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide in combinationwheeled luggage and a garment folding apparatus for use therewith.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide wheeledluggage having internal shelf dividers.

In accordance with these and other objects, which will become apparenthereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particularreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of wheeled luggage according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a left side view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front view thereof with the front closure panel removed;

FIG. 4 is right side view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view thereof with the handle extended;

FIG. 6 is left side view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a front view thereof with the handle extended and the frontclosure panel removed;

FIG. 8 is a night side view thereof with the handle extended;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view thereof in a vertically expandedconfiguration;

FIG. 10 is a left side view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view thereof showing the front closurepanel/garment folding device removed and unfolded;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the front closure panel that doubles as agarment folding apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view thereof;

FIG. 16 is a side view thereof and illustrates the flipping of the leftside panel;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view depicting the garment folding apparatus andan unfolded shirt thereon;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the garment folding apparatus and shirtdepicted in FIG. 17, with the bottom portion of the shirt folded upaccording to the folding method disclosed herein;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the garment folding apparatus and shirtwith the left side panel folded over;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the garment folding apparatus and shirtwith the left side panel folded back revealing the partially foldedshirt;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the garment folding apparatus and shirtwith the right side panel folded over;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the of the garment folding apparatus andshirt with the right side panel folded back revealing the partiallyfolded shirt;

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the garment folding apparatus and shirtwith the bottom panel folded upward;

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the garment folding apparatus and shirtwith the bottom panel folded back;

FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the garment folding apparatus and shirtsfolded therewith;

FIG. 26 is a left side view of an alternate embodiment verticallyexpandable wheeled luggage apparatus according to the present inventionin the compact configuration;

FIG. 27 is a front view thereof (front access panel open);

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view thereof;

FIG. 29 is a left side view thereof in the vertically expandedconfiguration;

FIG. 30 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 31 is a front perspective view thereof;

FIG. 32 is a front view of the expandable frame assembly and expandableshelves;

FIG. 33 is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 34 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 35 is a rear perspective view thereof;

FIG. 36 is a front perspective view thereof;

FIG. 37 is a rear view of the expandable frame assembly;

FIG. 38 is a right side view thereof;

FIG. 39 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 40 is a rear perspective view thereof;

FIG. 41 is a front perspective view thereof;

FIG. 42 is a top view schematic of the telescopically adjustable lockingtrack in an extended position.

FIG. 43 is a side view of the lower locking track member.

FIG. 44 is a frontal view of the locking track member.

FIG. 45 is a side view of the upper locking track member.

FIG. 46 is a top view schematic of both the upper locking track memberand the lower locking track member.

FIG. 47 is an exploded view of the locking member configuration on thelower track member.

FIG. 48 is a top view schematic of the components associated with thelocking mechanism as the upper locking track is extended.

FIG. 49. is a top view schematic of the components associated with thelocking mechanism as the upper track is locked in the extended position.

FIG. 50. is a top view schematic of the components associated with thelocking mechanism as the upper track is disengaged from the lockedposition.

FIG. 51 is a top view schematic of the components associated with thelocking mechanism as the upper locking track is retracted back into thelower locking track; and

FIG. 52 is a top view schematic of the components associated with thelocking mechanism as the upper track is extended back from a retractedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1-25 depict a preferred embodimentof the invention. Broadly described, the invention includes a case 10having a body 12 that functions as a container in which clothing andother personal items may be placed for transportation. Case 10 may ispreferably sized to conform to the maximum dimensions for “carry-on”luggage to be carried aboard and stowed in passenger cabins in aircraft,buses, and the like, but may be any suitable size.

In a preferred embodiment case 10 will not have length, width, andheight dimensions that exceed a sum total of forty-foul inches (44″),and is preferably about 20″ high, about 10″ deep, and about 14″ widewhen in the compact “carry-on” configuration, however, other dimensionalconfigurations are considered within the scope of the present invention.Body 12 is preferably hard-side construction as known in the art, but analternative embodiment fabricated as soft-side construction isconsidered within the scope of the present invention. The presentinvention is suitable for a variety of uses and should not be construedin application to mere luggage or garment case.

As best depicted in FIGS. 1-13, body 12 defines a generally hollowinterior for receiving clothing and the like and the exterior mayfeature various handles, piping, pockets, and the like, as depicted oras otherwise are used in the luggage art. Body 12 has a front 14, a back16, a top 18, a bottom 20 and two opposing sides 22 and 24. Top 18preferably includes a handle 26 attached thereto to assist in liftingcase 10, and for other reasons discussed herein below.

In addition, case 10 is preferably equipped with anextendible/retractable handle 30 with which the case 10 may be pushed orpulled across a supporting surface. Handle 30 may be extended and lockedin the extended configuration by a simple mechanical locking apparatus.For example, pillow blocks 32 may each be adapted with a lockingset-screw or lever actuated cam lock device 33. In an alternateembodiment, handle 30 may be foldable or rotatable from a stowedconfiguration to a deployed configuration. In a preferred embodiment,case 10 has two wheels 34 rotatably mounted within wheel housings 36proximate to the lower rear corners of the body 12. Wheels 34 permit thecase 10, with wheel handle 30 extended as shown in FIG. 2, to be tippedslightly from vertical and wheeled along the ground in a generallyupright position as is customary in the art. When case 10 is not in use,handle 30 may be retracted by known methods to the position depicted inFIGS. 1-4.

A significant aspect of the present invention relates to expandability.More particularly, back 16 and opposing sides 22 and 24, are eachcomposite structures including adjacent, slidably engaged outer andinner members identified by individually as 16A/16B, 22A/22B, and24A/24B. Each outer member 16A, 22A and 24A is attached at the lowerperipheral edges thereof to bottom 20. Each inner member 16B, 22B, and24B is attached at the upper peripheral edges thereof to top 18.Accordingly, body 12 is telescopically adjustable, and may beselectively manipulated between a compact configuration depicted inFIGS. 1-4, to an expanded configuration depicted in FIGS. 9-12. Body 12is preferably maintained in the expanded configuration by connection ofextended handle 30 with top handle 26 so as to maintain body 12 in theexpanded configuration. Connection of handles 30 and 26 may beaccomplished by any suitable mechanical connection. In a preferredembodiment, handle 26 includes a slidable rod 27 that is positionablefrom a retracted position wherein rod 27 is received within handle 26,to a deployed position wherein rod 27 is extended to engage handle 30thus supporting top 18 in the vertically expanded configuration.

Furthermore, the interior of case 10 preferably includes a plurality ofhorizontal shelves, referenced as 40 for use in storing clothes andpersonal items within case 10. Shelves 40 may be attached to aninternal, vertically expandable liner 42 that is connected to body 12,such as to top 18, so as to expand upward in an accordion manner whencase 10 is configured to the expanded configuration depicted in FIGS.9-12. By incorporating an expandable shelving system within case 10, theuser may configure the case to the expanded configuration depicted inFIG. 9 while packing the case, then close the case by configuring sameto the compact configuration depicted in FIGS. 1-8 wherein case 10 maybe transported during travel. Once the user has arrived at his/herdestination, case 10 may be opened and configured to the expandedconfiguration thereby increasing the vertical spacing of shelves 40. Inthe expanded configuration, the clothing and personal items stored withthe case remain neatly stacked, and readily accessible due to theexpansion of the interior volume and increased vertical spacing betweenindividual shelf members. The present invention thus provides anexpandable case that saves the user significant time while travelingsince the user may leave his/her clothing and personal items neatlywithin the case and thus is relieved of the duties related to unpackingthe case. A further advantage realized by the use of the expandableshelving system of the present invention relates to the visibility ofthe packed clothing and articles when the case is configured to theexpanded configuration as the clothing and articles remain on theshelves, visible, and accessible to the user.

It should be noted, however, that in an alternate embodiment shelves 40may be fixed within the case. In addition, the present inventioncontemplates the use of vertical dividers, either in lieu of shelves orin addition thereto. The use of vertical dividers is considereddesirable for an embodiment of the present invention particularlydirected to use by persons in carrying files or other items moresuitably transported in a vertical orientation. It should further beappreciated that the present invention may comprise a container forhousing a variety of articles, and may be embodied in a wheel-lessembodiment. In addition, the present invention may comprise anexpandable container, such as an article OF furniture, found in adwelling.

A further significant aspect of the present invention includes providinga garment folding tool for use in rapidly folding clothing, such asshirts and tops, as an integral component. Such a garment folding toolis disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,927, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference. More particularly case 10 isadapted with vertically disposed, U-shaped channel members 15 onopposing sides of front opening 14. Channel members 15 are intended toreceive a garment folding tool 50 that is removably received in theotherwise open front 14 of body 12 thereby functioning as a closurepanel. Folding tool 50 includes four (4) hingedly connected panelsincluding a main panel, opposing side panels, and a bottom panel. Theopposing side panels and the bottom panel are each pivotally connectedto the main panel. The pivotal connections permit folding of the panelsduring use and further permit the device to be configured for compactstorage.

Folding tool 50 includes a plurality of substantially flat, light-weightpanel members including a main panel 52, opposing left and right sidepanels 54 and 56, and a bottom panel 58. Panels 52, 54, 56, and 58 arepreferably fabricated from a light-weight, rigid or semi-rigid material.Side panels 54, 56, and bottom panel 58, are each pivotally connected tomain panel 52. The pivotal connections facilitate the folding of panels54, 56, and 58 about main panel 52 as best seen in FIG. 16. Side panels54 and 56 preferably define a plurality of apertures, referenced as 62,for reasons more fully discussed below. Apertures 62 are preferablycircular, however, any suitable shape (e.g. square, triangular, slottedetc.) is considered within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 16 depicts a side elevational view of the apparatus 50. The bottomsurfaces of panels 54 and 56 are preferably slightly raised whenapparatus 50 is placed on a flat supporting surface. In a preferredembodiment, projecting feet, referenced as 64, projected downwardproximal the peripheral corner edges thereof. Feet 64 function toelevate the edges of the panels to facilitate grasping and manipulationthereof by the user.

FIG. 17 shows the garment folding apparatus 50 with a shirt, referencedas “S” placed face down in a folding position thereon. It should benoted that apparatus 50 is preferably sized such that the ends of theshirt sleeves terminate proximal the outside edges of panels 54 and 56respectively. As best seen in FIG. 18, and according to the method offolding disclosed herein, the first step involves folding the bottom ofthe shirt such that the shirt fold line is approximately aligned withthe lower edges of panels 54, 56 and 58. As best seen in FIG. 19, andaccording to the method of folding disclosed herein, the second stepinvolves the user flipping panel 54 (or alternatively panel 56), and theshirt portion laying thereon, such that panel 54 is disposed over panels52 and 58 with the shirt sandwiched there between thereby creating astraight and uniform fold line upon return of the panel to the positiondepicted in FIG. 20. Projecting feet 64 function to enable the user toeasily grasp each foldable panel by causing the edge portion of eachpanel adapted with said feet to be slightly elevated above theunderlying surface thereby enabling the user's fingers to easily slideunderneath the panel while grasping.

As best seen in FIG. 21, and according to the method disclosed herein,the third step involves the user flipping panel 56, and the shirtportion laying thereon, such that panel 56 is disposed over panels 52and 58 with the shirt sandwiched there between. Once again, projectingfeet 64 function to enable the user to easily grasp the panel. Panel 56is then returned to its original position as depicted in FIG. 22. Itshould be noted that the above-referenced second and third steps, andassociated returning of the panels to the original positions, areperformed rapidly. Significantly, apertures 62, on each of panels 54 and56 function, upon returning the panels to the original positions toprevent suction and static cling from unfolding the shirt as the panelsare rapidly flipped back to the original positions. If the panels didnot include the apertures, the rapid return of the panels would causethe shirt to adhere to the panels thereby undoing the fold and resultingin a significantly slower folding operation. Accordingly, apertures 62provide for a more efficient folding process than is possible with knownfolding devices.

As best seen in FIGS. 23-24, and according to the fourth step of thefolding method disclosed herein, panel 58, and the shirt portionthereon, is folded upward thereby completing the folding process. Asshould be apparent, panel 58 may also include apertures 62 and/or feet64 to provide the advantages discussed herein above.

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 26-41 depict an alternate embodiment of the expandable luggage ofthe present invention, generally referenced as 100, and generallydiscloses the best mode for practicing the present invention. As bestdepicted in FIGS. 26-31, expandable luggage 100 includes a body 102 thatdefines a generally hollow interior for receiving clothing and the like,and an exterior that may feature various handles, piping, pockets, andthe like, as depicted or as otherwise are used in the luggage art. Body102 has a front 104, a back 106, a top 108, a bottom 120 and twoopposing sides 122 and 124. Top 108 preferably includes a handle 126attached thereto to assist in lifting case 10, and for other reasonsdiscussed herein below. As with all rolling luggage, case 100 is adaptedwith at least one wheel. In the preferred embodiment case 100 has twowheels 134 rotatably mounted within wheel housings 136 proximate to thelower rear corners of the body 112. Expandable case 100 also preferablyincludes an extendable handle as is well known in the art for use by theuser when rolling.

As disclosed in the first embodiment, a significant aspect of thepresent invention relates to expandability. The embodiment depicted inFIGS. 26-41 differs in structure from the embodiment depicted in FIGS.1-12. Specifically, case 100 is adapted with a telescopically adjustableframe assembly having four telescopically adjustable frame members 150and a telescopically adjustable locking track 152. Locking track 152includes two telescopically adjustable members and an automaticallylocking/unlocking mechanism, commonly referred to as a camover latch,that functions to automatically lock and unlock to allow for selectivevertical expansion and retraction of frame members 150 as furtherdescribed herein below. Each telescopically adjustable frame member 150and locking track 152 is connected at the upper ends thereof to the topportion 108 of case body 102 and at the lower ends thereof to the bottomportion 120 of case 102. Frame members 150 and locking track 152 aretelescopically adjustable such that body 102 of case 100 may bevertically manipulated between a compact configuration depicted in FIGS.26-28 and an expanded configuration depicted in FIGS. 29-31. FIGS. 37-41depict adjustable frame members 150 and adjustable locking track 152 ina vertically expanded configuration. It should be noted, however, thatany suitable system, such as gas operated cylinders or spring mechanismmay provide a suitable alternative to frame members 50 and adjustablelocking track 152.

A significant advantage to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 26-41relates to maintaining body 102 in the expanded configuration by theautomatic locking camover latch feature of locking track 152. Moreparticularly, the camover latch feature incorporated within lockingtrack 152 functions to automatically lock track 152 in a telescopicallyexpanded configuration when the user configures the body 102 into theexpanded configuration. Similarly, the camover latch incorporated withinlocking track 152 functions to automatically unlock when the user liftsthe top of body 102 slightly thereby releasing an internal lockingmechanism and allowing track 152 to return to the telescopicallyretracted configuration.

In addition, an expandable shelf assembly 140 comprising all expandableliner 142 and a plurality of shelves 144 is connected to frame assembly150 to provide a series of vertically expandable shelves 144 that expandand contract with frame members 150 and locking member 152. Moreparticularly, an expandable shelf assembly 140 includes an expandableliner 142 having a plurality of horizontal shelves 144 connected theretoin vertically spaced relation. Shelf assembly 140 has an upper endsecured to the top portion 108 of case body 102, and lower end securedto the bottom portion 120 of case 102. The plurality of horizontalshelves may be used for storing neatly folded clothing and personalitems within case 100.

As discussed herein above, each shelf 144 is preferably attached to aninternal, vertically expandable liner 144 having an upper end connectedto the top portion 108 of body 102 and a bottom portion connected to thebottom 120 of body 102 so as to expand upward in an accordion mannerwhen case 100 is configured to the expanded configuration depicted inFIGS. 29-31. By incorporating an expandable shelving system within case100, the user may configure the case to the expanded configurationdepicted in FIG. 31 while packing the case, then close the case byconfiguring same to the compact configuration depicted in FIG. 28wherein case 100 may be transported during travel. Significantly, thevertical spacing between shelf members 144 decreases when case 100 is inthe compact configuration thereby preferably slightly compressing theclothing and articles thereon so as to secure the articles duringtransit. Once the user has arrived at his/her destination, case 100 maybe opened and configured to the expanded configuration depicted in FIG.31, thereby increasing the vertical spacing of shelves 40. In theexpanded configuration, the clothing and personal items stored withinthe case remain neatly stacked, and readily accessible due to theexpansion of the interior volume and increased vertical spacing betweenindividual shelf members. The present invention thus provides anexpandable case that saves the user significant time while travelingsince the riser may leave his/her clothing and personal items neatlywithin the case and thus is relieved of the duties related to unpackingthe case.

Camover Latch

FIGS. 42-46 depict schematics of the telescopically adjustableself-latching track 152. A significant aspect of track 152 is theability of the track to be self-latching and self-unlatching as morefully described herein. The self-latching feature allows the user tosimply raise the case body to the expanded configuration wherein theself-latching function will lock the case in said configuration. Theself-unlatching feature allows the user to return the case body to itscompact configuration by simply lifting the top a small dimension upwardwhereby the track 152 self-unlatches thereby allowing the case body totelescopically compact with the aid of gravity.

The telescopically adjustable track 152 is comprised of an upper lockingtrack member 160, a lower locking track member 161, and a camover latchassembly 162. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower lockingtrack members 160 and 161 are both generally the same shape consistingof a flat bottom panel 163 with two sidewalls 164 extendingperpendicularly outward on opposing longitudinal sides of the bottompanel 163. A metal flange 165 extends parallel with the bottom panel 163from the top of each sidewall 164, into the space created between thetwo track sidewalls 164 and the bottom panel 163. Both track members 161and 162 include apertures 166 and 167 through both sidewalls at one endof each locking track member 161 and 162. It should be noted, however,that track members 161 and 162 may be generally cylindrical, or anyother suitable shape.

The upper locking track member 160 is the same shape as the lowerlocking track member 161 with a reduction in dimensions. This reductionin dimensions allows the upper locking track member 160 to fit withinthe lower locking track member 161. The upper locking track member 160is secured within the lower locking track member 161 by the metalflanges 165 that extend from the sidewalls of the lower locking trackmember 161. The upper track member 160 is displaced in a sliding mannerwithin the lower track member, thus allowing for the adjustable lockingtrack 152 to be moved between a compact configuration and an expandedconfiguration. The upper track member 161 fits within the lower trackmember 160 such that in the compact configuration, the end of the lowertrack member 161 with the sidewall apertures 166 is on the opposite endof the locking track 152 from the end of the upper track member 160 withthe sidewall apertures 167.

The upper locking track member 160 includes a pin 168 (or otherprojecting member) that extends through the bottom panel 163 into thespace between the sidewalls 164. The pin 168 is arranged at the end ofthe upper track member 160 between the sidewall apertures 167. As theupper track member 160 slides to create an expanded configuration, thepin is used to initiate and control the operation of the camover lockingmechanism 162.

FIGS. 46 and 47 show schematics of the camover latch assembly 162 withinthe lower locking track member 161. Specifically, the latch assembly iscomprised of a locking member 169 that is secured to the bottom panel163 of the lower locking track member 161 in a position that is off ofthe central longitudinal axis of the bottom panel 163. The lockingmember 169 is secured to the bottom panel with a screw 170, thusallowing the locking member 169 to rotate freely about the central axisof the screw 170.

The locking member 169 is irregularly shaped with two large protrusions171 and 173 and two small protrusions 172 and 174 extending from thelocking member 169. Locking protrusions 171 and 173 are of the sametriangular corner shape and dimensions. Locking protrusions 172 and 174with respect to each other are also of the same triangular corner shapeand dimensions. The smaller locking protrusions 172 and 174 extend fromopposing ends of the locking member 169, while the larger lockingprotrusions 171 and 173 extend from the other pair of opposing ends ofthe locking member 169, such that the locking member 169 has two foldrotational symmetry about the central axis of the screw 170. The largeprotrusion 171 and the small protrusion 174 both share a common side toeach form a triangular corner shape, while the large protrusion 172 andthe small protrusion 173 also share a common side to each form atriangular corner shape.

FIGS. 48-52 show schematics of the camover latch assembly 162 as thetelescopically adjustable locking track 152 is operated. SpecificallyFIG. 48 shows the first step as the upper track member 160 is displacedto an expanded position within the lower track member 161. As thetelescopically adjustable locking track 152 is extended, the pin 168 ofthe upper track member 160 engages the locking member 169 on the lowertrack member 161. The pin 168 comes into contact with one side of thelarge protrusion 173, causing the entire locking member 169 to rotateabout the central pivot axis 175 of the locking member 169. The rotationof the locking member 169 causes the large protrusion 171 to extend outof both the upper track member aperture 160 and the lower track memberaperture 167. the locking member 169 continues to rotate as the uppertrack member 160 is extended, until the pin 168 rests in the cavity 176formed by the intersection of one side of protrusions 174 with one sideof protrusion 176.

FIG. 49. shows a schematic of the camover latch assembly 162 in relationto the telescopically adjustable locking track 152 during the secondoperational step as the upper track member 160 is locked into asupporting position. Once the upper track member 160 reaches a fullyextended position, it is retracted back into the lower track member 161so that the top of the upper sidewall aperture 177 makes contact withthe large protrusion 171. Once contact between the top of the uppersidewall aperture 177 and the large protrusion 171 is made, the uppertrack member 160 is retracted back down into the lower track member 161even further, causing the locking member 169 to continue rotating aboutthe central pivot axis. The locking member 169 continues to rotate,until the smaller protrusion 172 touches the side wall of the upperlocking track member 160. At this point, the upper track member 160 isin an extended and locked position as downward displacement back intothe lower track member 161 is stopped by the protrusion 171 engaging thetop of the sidewall aperture 177.

FIG. 50 shows a schematic of the camover latch assembly 162 as the uppertrack member 160 is disengaged from the extended locked position. Fromthe locked position, the upper track member 160, which is stopped frommoving downward back into the lower track member 161, is again extendedvertically out from the lower track member 161. As the lower trackmember 161 is displaced vertically upward, the upper track member pin168 makes contact with the edge of locking member 169 formed from thecommon side shared by protrusions 171 and 174. Since the locking member169 is mounted off of the central longitudinal axis of the lower trackmember 161, the pin 168 engages the locking member 169 such that thelocking member 69 continues to rotate as the upper track member 160 isfurther extended. The rotation of the locking member 169 causes thesmaller protrusion 172 to extend out between both the upper track memberaperture 166 and the lower track member aperture 167. The upper trackmember is extended until the large protrusion 171 makes contact with thebottom of the upper track member aperture 166.

The upper track member 160 is then retracted back into the lower trackmember 161. As the upper track member 160 is lowered, the top of theupper track member side wall aperture 177 makes contact with the smallprotrusion 172. This contact causes the lock member 169 to rotate evenfurther. As shown in FIG. 51, the lock member 169 rotates so that bothlarge and small protrusions 172 and 171 face downward, and the face ofthe locking member 169 that is the shared side used to form protrusions173 and 172 is parallel with the sidewalls of both locking track members160 and 161. In turn, the upper track member 160 can retract completelyback into the lower track member 161.

FIG. 52. shows a schematic of the camover latch assembly 162 as theprocess of engaging the lock repeats itself. As the upper track member160 is extended out from the lower track member 161, the upper trackmember pin 168 engages the large protrusion 171. This causes the lockingmember 169 to rotate about the pivot axis 175. As the upper track member160 is extended further from the lower track member 161, the lockingmember 169 continues to rotate causing the large protrusion 173 toextend out from the upper track aperture 166 and the lower trackaperture 167. The upper track member 160 is extended until the pin isstopped in the cavity between the small protrusion 172 and the largeprotrusion 171. The upper track member 160 is then retracted back intothe lower track member 161 until the top of the upper track membersidewall aperture 177 engages the large protrusion 173, thereby lockingthe upper track member 160 in an extended position. The apparatus may beconstructed to any suitable size. For example, one size apparatus may beconfigured for adult clothing and another size apparatus may beconfigured for children's clothing merely by altering the dimensions ofthe panels.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what isconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It isrecognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within thescope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to aperson skilled in the art.

1. An expandable container comprising: a main body defining an internalcompartment bounded by a bottom wall, a top wall, an openable front, arear wall and two opposing side walls; said internal compartmentincluding a plurality of vertically spaced shelves; said body adaptedfor vertical expansion such that said body may be configured from acompact configuration wherein said top wall and said bottom wall arespaced a first dimension relative to one another, to a verticallyexpanded configuration wherein said top wall and said bottom wall arespaced a second dimension relative to one another, said second dimensionbeing greater than said first dimension such that the volume of saidinternal compartment is increased; means for adjusting vertical spacingbetween shelves whereby spacing between said shelves increases when saidbody is configured from said compact configuration to said expandedconfiguration; and means for releasably locking said body in saidvertically expanded configuration.
 2. An expandable container accordingto claim 1, wherein said means for releasably locking said body in saidvertically expanded configuration comprises at least one telescopicallyexpandable self-latching track.
 3. An expandable container according toclaim 2, wherein said means for releasably locking said body includesfirst and second telescopically adjustable tracks adapted with aself-latching and self-unlatching mechanism.
 4. An expandable containeraccording to claim 3, wherein said mechanism comprises a camover latch.5. An expandable container according to claim 4, wherein said camoverlatch includes a rotatable locking member and a pin.